Kava vs. Kratom: What's the Difference?

Kava and kratom often share a menu, and their names get mixed up constantly. They are completely different plants, from different parts of the world, prepared in different ways. Here's how to tell them apart.

The short version

	Kava	Kratom
Plant	Piper methysticum, pepper family	Mitragyna speciosa, coffee family
Comes from	Pacific Islands	Southeast Asia
Part used	Root	Leaf
How it's made	Ground root mixed with water	Leaf brewed as tea
Taste	Earthy, peppery	Herbal, bitter, like strong green tea
Often described as	Calming and sociable	Uplifting or relaxing, depending on strain and amount
On our menu	10 oz shells	12 oz or 16 oz teas

Kava: the Pacific root

Kava is made from the root of a plant grown in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and across the Pacific. It has been a social drink for centuries, shared from a communal bowl.

People describe it as relaxing the body and easing conversation while the head stays clear. It will make your lips and tongue tingle for a few minutes, which is normal.

Read more in our first-timer's guide to kava.

Kratom: the Southeast Asian leaf

Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree related to coffee. It's traditionally brewed as tea, and it's usually sold by color: white, green, red and gold.

How it feels depends on the person, the strain and the amount. Smaller servings are commonly described as more uplifting, larger ones as more relaxing.

Read more in our guide to kratom tea.

Which should I try first?

There's no wrong answer, but here's how we usually guide people:

• Want to unwind and talk? Start with a shell of kava. Waka Kava is clean, bright and social.
• Curious about kratom? Start with a 12 oz House Brew of kratom tea and ask us to help you pick a strain.
• Not sure about either? Order a latte or a loose-leaf herbal tea and watch for a while. That's a perfectly good first visit.

Can I have both?

We'd suggest trying them one at a time first, on separate visits, so you know how each one sits with you. Combining them stacks their effects. Our Kava / Kratom Mixed extract shot exists for guests who already know both well, and even then the advice on the menu stands: strong, go slow.

What they have in common

• Both are 21+ at BulaBula.
• Neither should be mixed with alcohol, sedatives or other medication.
• Neither is for use during pregnancy.
• Both deserve respect. Kratom can be habit-forming with frequent use, and kava products have in rare cases been linked to liver injury. If you take medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor first.

Try them near Denver

BulaBula pours both at 195 S Union Blvd in Lakewood, just west of Denver, from 11am to midnight every day. See the full menu or plan your visit.